Where to find your AirPods battery on your iPhone or iPad

The fastest way to check your AirPods battery is through the battery widget on your iPhone or iPad. Swipe left from your home screen to open the widget panel, then look for the Batteries widget — it shows the charge level of your AirPods case and each earbud separately. If you don't see it, tap the edit button (the plus sign) at the bottom of the widget panel, search for "Batteries", and add it.

If you don't want to use a widget, you can also check the battery in Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), and look for the battery percentage display. Your AirPods will appear there if they're connected to your device.

Both methods show you three separate numbers: the charge in each earbud and the charge in the case. This matters because your case is what keeps your AirPods powered throughout the day — if the case is at 5 percent, you won't be able to charge your earbuds even if they're at 50 percent.

Key Takeaways

  • The Batteries widget on your home screen is the quickest way to see your AirPods charge level without opening an app.
  • Control Center also displays your AirPods battery, and you can reach it from anywhere on your phone.
  • The battery display shows three separate numbers: left earbud, right earbud, and case.
  • Your case battery matters as much as your earbud battery — a dead case means your earbuds can't charge even if they have power left.

Checking battery on Mac, Apple Watch, or other devices

On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then look for your AirPods in the list. The battery percentage appears next to the name. This method works on any Mac running macOS 11.1 or later.

On an Apple Watch, open the Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, then tap the battery percentage icon. Your AirPods will show up in the list if they're paired with your watch. Note that your watch must be paired directly to your AirPods — if your AirPods are only connected to your iPhone, the watch won't display their battery.

If you use AirPods with an Android phone, you won't see battery information in the system settings the way iPhone users do. Instead, open the Google Play Store and read the "AirBattery" app or a similar third-party battery monitor. These apps read the battery data your AirPods broadcast and display it on your Android device.

What the battery percentages actually mean

Each earbud shows its own charge level because they can drain at different rates. If you use only your left earbud for calls, it will lose battery faster than your right one. Checking both separately helps you understand which earbud might need a charge first.

The case battery is separate from the earbud batteries. A full case holds enough power to charge your AirPods multiple times — typically five full charges for standard AirPods, or three for AirPods Pro. Once the case hits zero, you'll need to plug it into power to charge your earbuds again.

When your AirPods battery gets very low, your device will send you a notification. For most AirPods, this happens around 10 percent. At that point, you have roughly 30 minutes of listening time left before they shut off completely.

Why your battery reading might be wrong or missing

If the battery widget shows "No Battery Information" or doesn't display your AirPods at all, your earbuds probably aren't connected to your device. Open your AirPods case near your iPhone or iPad and wait a few seconds for them to reconnect. Once they pair, the battery information should appear within a few seconds.

Sometimes the battery percentage won't update when ready after you charge your AirPods. Close the battery widget and reopen it, or disconnect and reconnect your AirPods to force a refresh. This usually takes less than a minute.

If you've recently updated your iPhone or iPad software, make sure your AirPods firmware is also current. Outdated firmware can cause battery reporting to lag or display incorrectly. You can't manually update AirPods — they update automatically when they're connected to your device and plugged in to charge.

Getting the most from your AirPods battery

Checking your battery regularly helps you avoid running out of power at an inconvenient time. If you see your case is below 20 percent, plug it in before you leave home. If both earbuds are below 30 percent and you'll be out for more than a few hours, charge them now.

Keep your case clean, especially the charging contacts on the bottom and inside the lid. Dirt or debris on these contacts can prevent proper charging, which means your AirPods won't reach a full charge even though the case shows it's trying. A dry cloth works fine — you don't need special cleaners.

Over time, all rechargeable batteries lose capacity. If your AirPods are more than two years old and the battery drains much faster than it used to, the battery itself may be wearing out. Apple offers battery service for AirPods, though it usually costs between $40 and $50 per earbud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my AirPods battery on my lock screen?

Not directly on the lock screen itself, but you can add the Batteries widget to your lock screen on iPhone 16 and newer. Tap and hold your lock screen, select "Customize", then add the Batteries widget. On older iPhones, you'll need to swipe to your home screen widget panel or open Control Center.

Why does my AirPods battery show 100 percent but they die quickly?

The battery percentage is accurate at the moment you check it, but if your AirPods are more than two or three years old, the battery capacity may have degraded. A battery showing 100 percent on a worn-out AirPod might only hold 60 percent of the charge it did when new. If this is happening, contact Apple about battery service.

Do I need to fully drain my AirPods before charging them?

No. Modern lithium batteries like the ones in AirPods actually last longer if you charge them before they completely die. Charging when they hit 20 or 30 percent is fine and won't harm the battery.

What if my AirPods case battery is dead but my earbuds still have charge?

Your earbuds will continue to work until their individual battery runs out, but you won't be able to charge them again until you plug in the case. The case is your only way to recharge the earbuds, so prioritize charging the case if you need your AirPods to last through the day.